CSPnet - cigarshttp://www.cspnet.com/article-keywords/cigars
enNATO Show Releases New Websitehttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/nato-show-releases-new-website
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p class="CSP"><b>MINNEAPOLIS --</b> Thomas Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), has announced the launch of the 2016 NATO Show website, <a href="http://www.NATOShow.com">www.NATOShow.com</a>.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">"The NATO Show website has been updated with new navigation and backgrounds, making it easier for our members, exhibitors and attendees to find information about the 2016 NATO Show, which will be held on April 19-21, 2016," Briant said.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">The site will be updated with information as it becomes available.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">"For instance, while plans are in the works for the 2016 educational program, a vital part of the annual event, visitors to the website can view presentations from the 2015 Show," said Briant. "We look forward to constantly updating the site to make it a valuable part of the NATO Show experience." <p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">Currently, manufacturers and suppliers can use the site to apply for 2016 exhibit space. Registration for NATO Show 2016 and the networking events will be available on the site as well. <p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">The NATO Show will be held April 19 - 21, 2016 at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">NATO owns the show, which is produced by ConvExx, an independent show organizer. Information regarding exhibit space or attendee registration can be obtained by contacting NATO Show Management, <a href="mailto:info@natoshow.com">info@natoshow.com</a> or calling (877) 764-3976.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">Based in Minneapolis, NATO is a national trade association for tobacco retailers that focuses exclusively on local, state and federal tobacco legislative issues and leads the fight for all tobacco interests in the United States.<p></p></p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="NATO Show Releases New Website" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/nato-show-releases-new-website" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 31 Jul 2015 20:59:54 +0000Russ Harper42939 at http://www.cspnet.comCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/nato-show-releases-new-website#commentsThree Out of Four Adults Favor 21 (Infographic)http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/three-out-four-adults-favor-21-infographic
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p class="CSP"><b>ATLANTA --</b> Three out of four American adults—including seven in 10 cigarette smokers—favor raising the minimum age of sale for all tobacco products to 21, according to an article by Centers for Disease Control &amp; Prevention (CDC) published in <i>The <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749379715002524" target="_blank" title="Link to External Web Site"><span style="color:windowtext;&lt;br /&gt;&#10;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">American Journal of Preventive Medicine</span></a></i>. <p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">While an overwhelming majority of adults favored the policy overall, favorability is slightly higher among adults who never smoked and older adults. In contrast, 11% of adults strongly opposed making 21 the legal age of sale, while 14% somewhat opposed such measures.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">In most states, the minimum age of sale for tobacco is 18; in Alabama, Alaska, New Jersey and Utah the minimum age of sale is 19. One state—Hawaii—currently prohibits sales of tobacco products to youth under the age of 21. Also, several cities and counties across the United States have adopted laws raising the minimum age to 21, starting with Needham, Mass., in 2005. New York City; Hawaii County, Hawaii; Evanston, Ill.; Englewood, N.J.; Columbia, Mo.; and several other communities in Massachusetts later followed suit.<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">“Raising the minimum age of sale to 21 could benefit the health of Americans in several ways,” said Brian King, acting deputy director for research translation in CDC’s Office on Smoking &amp; Health. “It could delay the age of first experimenting with tobacco, reducing the likelihood of transitioning to regular use and increasing the likelihood that those who do become regular users can quit.”<p></p></p>
<p class="CSP">Data for the study came from Styles, a nationally representative online survey of U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The findings are consistent with those from a national survey conducted in 2013 and polls of voters in Colorado and Utah that found 57% and 67%, respectively, favor such policies. Favorability for the policies was found to increase with increasing age.</p>
<p class="CSP"><p></p></p>
<p class="CSP"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/cdc-chart.png" /></p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="Three Out of Four Adults Favor 21 (Infographic)" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/three-out-four-adults-favor-21-infographic" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Mon, 20 Jul 2015 20:47:58 +0000Russ Harper42784 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/three-out-four-adults-favor-21-infographic#commentsHouse Bill Would Limit Proposed Deeming Regshttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/house-bill-would-limit-proposed-deeming-regs
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p><strong>WASHINGTON --</strong> House Republicans are backing a $20.65 billion agriculture appropriations bill that would limit the U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority over currently “undeemed” tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes. Approved by the House Appropriations Committee’s Agriculture, Rural Development, Food &amp; Drug Administration &amp; Related Agencies Subcommittee in June, the measure would exempt products already on the market from the FDA’s costly Pre-Market Tobacco Application (PMTA) requirement.</p>
<p>The bill focuses specifically on the predicate product date of Feb. 15, 2007—a date that was set when the Tobacco Control Act (TCA) originally granted the FDA authority over tobacco products. Under the law, products on the market by Feb. 15, 2007, would not have to submit a PMTA; products introduced during a 21-month transition period after the law was enacted could stay on the market so long as manufacturers submitted a substantial equivalence (SE) application.</p>
<p>In the FDA’s proposed deeming regulations for e-vapor, the agency stated that the Feb. 15, 2007, predicate date would remain in place for the newly deemed products (the majority of which were not on the market in 2007, and thus ineligible for the SE pathway).</p>
<p>“The committee is concerned that this approach will dramatically add to the FDA’s substantial backlog of currently pending applications and create a regulatory logjam for the agency,” the proposal said. “The committee has therefore established a new policy that treats newly deemed products in the same way as the TCA treated newly regulated products when the law was enacted. Specifically, the language in this bill would make the predicate date for newly deemed tobacco products the effective date of the final deeming rule and mimic the 21-month transition period provided for cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco.”</p>
<p><em><a href="http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hrpt-114-hr-fy2016-agriculture.pdf">Click here</a> to view complete details about the bill (see page 71, “Tobacco Product Regulation”).</em></p>
<p>When the bill was first announced in June, the American Vaping Association (AVA) praised the House Appropriations subcommittee for potentially saving the e-vapor industry.</p>
<p>"Without action by Congress, the FDA's proposed regulations threaten to ban 99% of vapor products currently available on the market,” AVA president Gregory Conley said. “This would be a disaster not only for thousands of small businesses, but also public health.”</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, anti-tobacco groups spoke out against the proposal. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Cancer Action Network and the American Heart Association released a joint statement saying the bill would “significantly limit” the FDA’s ability to protect children, specifically calling out flavored cigars and e-cigarettes.</p>
<p>“Rarely has Congress so blatantly put the special interests of the tobacco industry above the health of America’s kids,” the statement said.</p>
<p>Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) agreed with these sentiments and proposed an amendment that would have removed the PMTA exemption from the appropriations bill, according to a report by <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/finance/247214-gop-rejects-proposal-to-allow-fda-to-regulate-e-cigarettes"><em>The Hill</em></a>.</p>
<p>“This bill would allow them to stay on the market ... without an FDA pre-market review and open the door for similar products to avoid FDA review down the road,” Lowey said, describing the rider as “objectionable.”</p>
<p>“Many of these products are aimed at children, including a substantial number of the 7,000 flavors of e-cigarettes ... bubble gum, gummy bears, swedish fish,” Lowey added.</p>
<p>In a 26-to-23 vote this week, Republican appropriators rejected Lowey’s proposal to strike the bill's language.</p>
<p>”E-cigarettes [are] not really smoking,” said Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.). “I think most people realize they are less dangerous than cigarettes and yet we’re subjecting them to a higher level of regulation.”</p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="House Bill Would Limit Proposed Deeming Regs" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/house-bill-would-limit-proposed-deeming-regs" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:14:24 +0000Russ Harper42669 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/house-bill-would-limit-proposed-deeming-regs#commentsSmoker Friendly Event to Feature Discussion on M&A Opportunitieshttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/smoker-friendly-event-feature-discussion-ma-opportunities
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p><strong>BOULDER, Colo. -- </strong>At the upcoming Smoker Friendly Conference &amp; Tobacco Festival in Broomfield, Colo., August 20 to August 22, Smoker Friendly will convene a panel to discuss the changes in all tobacco categories because of mergers and acquisitions and the opportunities that it may provide retailers.</p>
<p>For the general session, Smoker Friendly has assembled a group of individuals to discuss the advantages and pitfalls of marketing tobacco in the United States and globally.</p>
<p>Melissa VonderHaar, tobacco editor for CSP Information Group, will moderate the panel.</p>
<p>Panelists include:</p>
<ul><li><em>Dan Carr, president of General Cigar</em>. Prior to General Cigar, Carr served in various positions with Scandinavian Tobacco Group. He served as the senior vice president of sales and marketing for Swedish Match North America from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that he was the vice president of sales and marketing with Swedish Match from 1999 to 2007. He severs as the chairman of the Cigar Association of America and is on the board of the Tobacco Merchants Association.</li>
<li><em>J. Kelly Michols, CEO Scandinavian Tobacco Group-Lane USA</em>. Michols became the CEO of STG-LaneUSA in March 2015. Before that, he was president since 2013. His vision is to create and build a profitable business unit for STG, with strategic growth. STG manufactures and markets cigars, fine-cut tobacco and traditional pipe tobacco in the United States and in more than 100 countries.</li>
<li><em>Henry Sicignano III, CEO and president of 22nd Century Group Inc.</em> Sicignano has held his current position since March 2015. Prior to that, he was the COO of 22nd Century Group. The company manufactures cigarettes and filtered cigars; it also holds patents for a wide variety of items. Red Sun is its premier brand, marketed throughout the United States. It also market cigarette brands globally and works with the U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA) on nicotine strengths. Previously, he was the vice president and director of marketing for Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., manufacturer of American Spirit brands prior to the sale of that company to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.</li>
</ul><p>To round out the information packed general session Thomas Briant the executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), and Mark Pursell the executive director of the International Premium Cigar &amp; Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), will be giving a legislative and FDA update on the tobacco and cigar industries.</p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="Smoker Friendly Event to Feature Discussion on M&amp;A Opportunities" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/smoker-friendly-event-feature-discussion-ma-opportunities" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 16 Jun 2015 01:49:38 +0000Greg Lindenberg42361 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/smoker-friendly-event-feature-discussion-ma-opportunities#commentsFDA Announces Interim SE Enforcement Policyhttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-announces-interim-se-enforcement-policy
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p><strong>WASHINGTON --</strong> While the U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA) considers new comments to the recently issued “<a href="http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm436462.htm?source=govdelivery&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">Demonstrating the Substantial Equivalence of a New Tobacco Product: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions</a>” guidance, the agency has announced its interim enforcement policy.</p>
<p>This interim policy is effective immediately and will continue until 30 days after the FDA issues a revised guidance or announces its intention to not issue one.</p>
<p>The interim enforcement policy states that for new tobacco products in which the only modification is a label change that creates a distinct product with identical characteristics to the predicate product, or new tobacco products in which the only modification is a change in product quantity, the FDA does not intend to issue any warning letters or take steps to initiate any judicial or administrative adversarial proceedings for these tobacco products that are marketed without required premarket authorization</p>
<p>Also, the FDA does not intend to issue any "not substantially equivalent" (SE) orders or preliminary finding letters for reasons of failing to provide sufficient information; however, the FDA does plan to issue other regulatory letters, including refuse-to-accept (RTA) letters and “not substantially equivalent” orders for those products that are not otherwise in compliance with the requirements of the Food, Drug &amp; Cosmetic Act (FD&amp;C).</p>
<p>In both instances, for the interim enforcement policy to apply, the change (whether to the label or in product quantity) must have been made from, and including, Feb. 16, 2007, through the end of this interim time period, it said.</p>
<p>During the interim enforcement period, if a company did not file an SE report for a tobacco product that meets the previously mentioned specifics, or if the company received an RTA for that submission, the FDA intends to provide a period of 30 days from the date it issues a revised guidance, or announces that it will not issue such a revised guidance, for companies to file an SE report, it said.</p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="FDA Announces Interim SE Enforcement Policy" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-announces-interim-se-enforcement-policy" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 02 Jun 2015 23:28:05 +0000Greg Lindenberg42183 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-announces-interim-se-enforcement-policy#commentsMassachusetts Towns Raise Cigarette-Buying Age to 21http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/massachusetts-towns-raise-cigarette-buying-age-21
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p><strong>DANVERS &amp; KINGSTON, Mass. -- </strong>Two Massachusetts towns have joined the ranks of those that have agreed to increase the legal age to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21, among other limits and bans.</p>
<p>The Kingston, Mass., Board of Health adopted the new tobacco regulations Monday night, according to a K<em>ingston Reporter</em> report.</p>
<p>Only one member of the five-member board, Toni Cushman, voted against the ban, saying, “At 18 you are an adult,” according to the report. “You have a choice and can make your own decision.”</p>
<p>New board member David Kennedy, however, said he supported regulating the legal age because while 18- to 20-year-olds may be considered adults, it’s the responsibility of the Board of Health to adopt regulations based on health impacts, and studies on addiction support that.</p>
<p>“To me it’s about addiction,” he said. “To me it doesn’t matter if it’s a regular cigarette or a regular cigar, a flavored cigarette or a flavored cigar, or any tobacco product. It should not matter.”</p>
<p>The Kinston board also voted to limit the number of stores in town that can sell tobacco products. At this time there are 18 licensed establishments.</p>
<p>Board members also agreed to prohibit the sale of tobacco products within 500 feet of schools but had differences of opinion on whether to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products and blunt wraps (hollowed out cigars typically used to make marijuana cigarettes).</p>
<p>The vote was 3-2 against restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products. The vote was 3-2 in favor of restricting blunt wraps.</p>
<p>Store owners and managers and New England Retailer’s Association Executive Director Steve Ryan argued against the bans and limits, saying their businesses would suffer with the change.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Danvers, Mass., Board of Health also agreed to raise the minimum age to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in town from 18 to 21. They have also banned sales at health care and education institutions and retailers with pharmacies like Walgreens according report in the<em> Salem News</em>.</p>
<p>The amended tobacco control regulations go into effect July 1.</p>
<p>Smoking-cessation products are exempt from the new rules.</p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="Massachusetts Towns Raise Cigarette-Buying Age to 21" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/massachusetts-towns-raise-cigarette-buying-age-21" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 22 May 2015 18:50:35 +0000Steve Holtz42064 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersIndependentsCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/massachusetts-towns-raise-cigarette-buying-age-21#commentsCSP Tobacco: Friend or Foe?http://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-friend-or-foe
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Jeremy Weiner</strong></p>
<p><em>Smoker Friendly</em></p>
<p>"We carry prepriced cigars from all the major manufacturers in order to be competitive in the domestic-cigar marketplace. The prepriced products have defınitely grown our domestic-cigar business; unfortunately, it has hurt our profıt margins in this category.”</p>
<p>“I think [manufacturers] need to look at all the flavor products that have come out in the past few years and do some SKU rationalization. There are way too many flavor options and it’s hard to carry the entire line.”</p>
<hr /><p><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/lorance-stephanie.png" style="width: 120px; height: 151px; float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" />Stephanie Lorance</strong></p>
<p><em>Cumberland Gulf Group</em></p>
<p>"Currently we have 67 stores impacted by single-cigar legislation. In most of these towns, the town requires a minimum single cigar price of $2.50. This makes selling prepriced cigars in these locations not within the regulations local boards of health have set.</p>
<p>“It is hard to say that prepriced cigars have hurt our business, but it is certainly hard to compete when neighboring cities or towns may be selling a single cigar for 69 cents.”</p>
<hr /><p><strong>Frank White</strong></p>
<p><em>White Knight Marketing</em></p>
<p>"[I’ve felt] forced to carry prepriced cigars in order to price-compete with independent operators and smoke shops. The proliferation of minor brands that commoditize cigars by lowballing the price or quantity for price point threatens the gross-profıt margin of the cigar category.”</p>
<p>“Prepricing is defınitely a defıcit. It sells down the customer to the lowest price point, which steals gross-profıt dollars from the operator.”</p>
<hr /><p><strong><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/monaco-steve.png" style="width: 120px; height: 145px; float: right; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;" />Steve Monaco</strong></p>
<p><em>Tedeschi Food Shops</em></p>
<p>"I have never been a proponent due to the margin squeeze. But because the market we operate in is flooded with this product from major manufacturers, we need to stay competitive and offer prepriced cigars.</p>
<p>“On the plus side, the product turns at a much faster rate, so we are seeing repeat business. The goal is to try and sell additional items to improve the basket size and overall margin.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-author field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Author(s):&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/profile/melissa-vonder-haar" class=" melissa-vonder-haar">Melissa Vonder Haar</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-summary field--type-text-long field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Article Summary:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Convenience-store retailers weigh in on the divisive trend of prepriced cigars.</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-related-issue field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Related Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/print/csp-magazine/issues/csp-magazine-may-2015" class=" csp-magazine--may-2015">CSP Magazine | May 2015</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-magazine-article-type field--type-list-text field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Magazine Article Type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Features</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-feature-level field--type-list-text field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Magazine Article Feature Level:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Feature 5</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-related-nref field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Related Content:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/print/csp-magazine/article/tobacco-cigars-2015" class=" tobacco-cigars-2015">Tobacco: Cigars 2015</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/print/missing/article/tobacco-road-innovation" class=" tobacco-road-to-innovation">Tobacco Road to Innovation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-channel field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Channel:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/channel/category-managers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" category-managers">Category Managers</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/channel/independents" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" independents">Independents</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-section field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/section/print" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" print">Print</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/section/csp-magazine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" csp-magazine">CSP Magazine</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-magazine-description field--type-text-long field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Deck:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Retailers weigh in on the divisive trend of prepriced cigars</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-retailer-focus field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Retailer Focus:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/retailers/cumberland-farms" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" cumberland-farms">Cumberland Farms</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/retailers/gasamat-oil-corp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" gasamat-oil-corp.">Gasamat Oil Corp.</a></div><div class="field__item even"><a href="/retailers/tedeschi-food-shops" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" tedeschi-food-shops">Tedeschi Food Shops</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-also-in-the-news field--type-list-boolean field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Also in the News:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Include in Also in the News</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-top-news-archive field--type-list-boolean field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Top News Archive:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-keywords field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Article Keywords:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/article-keywords/cigars" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" cigars">cigars</a></div></div></div><span property="dc:title" content="CSP Tobacco: Friend or Foe?" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 13 May 2015 19:51:52 +0000Steve Holtz41949 at http://www.cspnet.comhttp://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-friend-or-foe#commentsFDA Issues Guidance on Retail No-Tobacco-Sales Orderhttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-issues-guidance-retail-no-tobacco-sales-order
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><div><strong>MINNEAPOLIS -- </strong>This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products issued a guidance document titled “Determination of the Period Covered by a No-Tobacco-Sale Order and Compliance with an Order.”</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the federal law that granted the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products, the FDA was authorized to conduct retail compliance inspections and impose fines for violations culminating in a “no-tobacco-sales” order for repeated violations of the federal tobacco regulations. A no-tobacco-sales order is an order issued by the FDA to a specific retail location prohibiting the sale of tobacco products for a specified period of time or an indefinite period of time. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Prior to the issuance of the new guidance document this week, the FDA had not determined the length of time that a retailer would be prohibited from selling all tobacco products if the same retail location had repeated violations of federal tobacco regulations, such as not requesting identification of a customer that appears to be under the age of 27 or selling tobacco products to a minor. The guidance document explains the FDA’s current thinking with respect to imposing a no-tobacco-sales order and includes the factors that the FDA will consider in determining the length of time an order will be in effect.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the guidance document, the FDA is proposing to seek the following time periods for issuing no-tobacco-sale orders:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>First No-Tobacco-Sales Order: 30 days</div>
<div>Second No-Tobacco Sales Order: 6 months</div>
<div>Third or More No-Tobacco-Sales Orders: Permanent Prohibition on Selling Tobacco Products</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Before a retailer is faced with a no-tobacco-sales order situation, the FDA uses the following fine schedule for violations of federal tobacco regulations:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>First violation: No fine, but a warning letter to the retailer</div>
<div>Second violation within a 12-month period: $250</div>
<div>Third violation within a 24-month period: $500</div>
<div>Fourth violation within a 24-month period: $2,000</div>
<div>Fifth violation within a 36-month period: $5,000</div>
<div>Sixth violation within a 48-month period: $11,000</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While the guidance document states that the FDA intends to seek the maximum time period for a no-tobacco sales order after a sixth violation, the FDA may reduce the time period that tobacco sales are prohibited by taking into consideration the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of prior violations and, with respect to the specific retailer, the effect an order would have on the ability of the retailer to continue to do business, any history of similar violations, and the degree of culpability on the part of the retailer. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In addition, in determining whether to reduce the no-tobacco-sale order time period, the FDA will consider whether a retailer has taken effective steps to prevent the sale of tobacco products to underage youth including adopting and enforcing a written policy against sales to minors, informing its employees of all applicable laws, establishing disciplinary sanctions for employee non-compliance, and requiring employees to verify legal age through photo identification or electronic scanning device.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="http://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/UCM446552.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for a copy of the full draft guidance document issued by the FDA</a>.</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-author field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Author(s):&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" rel="rnews:creator schema:creator">Thomas A. Briant</div></div></div><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-issues-guidance-retail-no-tobacco-sales-order" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="schema:name" content="FDA Issues Guidance on Retail No-Tobacco-Sales Order" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Wed, 13 May 2015 17:38:19 +0000Melissa VonderHaar41945 at http://www.cspnet.comTobacco E-NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/fda-issues-guidance-retail-no-tobacco-sales-order#commentsCSP Tobacco: Washington Confidentialhttp://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-washington-confidential
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="content:encoded"><p>At 241 pages, reading—much less understanding—the deeming regulations proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is no simple task.</p>
<p>Andrew Perraut has a unique perspective on just how complex that document is. As a policy analyst for the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Perraut was the lead for all regulatory issues for tobacco for six years (pre-dating the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products) and participated in the redrafting of the deeming regulations before the proposed regs went public in April 2014.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot there,” Perraut says. “The FDA is going to be asserting its authority over this entire class of products for the very first time. That comes with a tremendous amount of change.”</p>
<p>After leaving OIRA last August, Perraut has gone from reviewing proposed regulations to advising clients on navigating the regulatory process. Clients of Perraut’s San Francisco-based consulting firm, Radiant Strategies, are advised on how regulatory policies get made and how they can best participate in the process.</p>
<p>In an exclusive interview with <em>CSP</em>, Perraut shares some of his wisdom on what retailers need to know about the proposed deeming regs, what’s not in the proposal, and the realities of the rulemaking process in the future.</p>
<p><strong>Q: There’s been lots of chatter about flavors and open systems. Should we be worried about an FDA attempt to ban these options?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A: </strong>“I have heard some folks saying that perhaps the FDA might want to ban open systems or flavors in some way,” says Perraut. “I think that is exceedingly unlikely.”</p>
<p>The first hurdle for a flavor or open-system ban? The FDA did not propose a ban on flavors or open systems in the proposed rule. Typically, Perraut says, the agency can’t include wholly new provisions in a final rule that were not present in the proposal.</p>
<p>Another problem is the potential legal challenges of such a drastic action. Both the FDA and the White House must consider potential litigations and cost-benefit analysis when drafting and reviewing this kind of legislation.</p>
<p>“It would be incredibly difficult for the FDA to make the case that a ban on open-ended systems could pass any rational cost-benefit test,” Perrault says.</p>
<p>That isn’t to say flavors or open systems won’t be addressed in some way. If anything, Perraut expects a “lighter touch” regulatory approach—such as a requirement for childproof caps on e-liquids—in the revised deeming regulations. Alternately, he says the FDA could start a new rulemaking specifically to address open systems, flavors or even Internet sales. As to that likelihood, the FDA hasn’t given any indication that banning flavors, open systems or Internet sales are the priority.</p>
<p>“The FDA has a really aggressive schedule and has already listed out several wish lists for the near term on tobacco,” he says. “Internet sales, flavors or open systems weren’t on them. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t pursue it—but it’s not on the agency’s immediate list.” (<a href="http://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-washington-confidential?page=0%2C2">See chart below</a> for what is indeed on the FDA’s agenda.)</p>
<p><strong>CONTINUED: Retailer-Friendly Deeming Rules?</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Q: No flavor ban, no open-system ban—the deeming rules seem fairly retailer-friendly. Am I missing something here?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A: </strong>Perraut says the biggest red flag of the proposed deeming regs has more to do with manufacturers—and the pre-market approval requirement.</p>
<p>“The reality is, the process that the FDA has proposed is not very well fleshed-out,” he says. “They have not published the specific standards that they’re expecting applicants to meet, so a lot of this remains a little bit unknowable.”</p>
<p>Issues Perraut expects will arise from the pre-market requirement include:</p>
<p><strong>Cost: </strong>Perraut would not be surprised if the cost to file a pre-market tobacco application (PMTA) is in the millions of dollars—a prohibitive figure that could put some manufacturers out of business.</p>
<p><strong>Lack of Labs:</strong> Each PMTA will require substantial scientific testing and analysis. There are a finite number of facilities in North America qualified to handle this kind of analysis, which could create a steep backlog.</p>
<p><strong>Lack of FDA Manpower:</strong> The FDA has ruled on less than 3% of the significantly less detailed substantial equivalence (SE) applications. With 4,000 SE applications still pending, how can the agency possibly handle what Perraut predicts will be tens of thousands of science-heavy applications?</p>
<p><strong>Bye-Bye Innovation: </strong>This is where it hits home for retailers: If it’s going to cost millions and take years to complete and process a PMTA, e-vapor innovation will likely come to a screaming halt.</p>
<p>“Assuming these regulations are finalized in their current form, the pre-market approval process is going to be really cumbersome,” Perraut says. “Because of the 2007 grandfather date, unfortunately, the less burdensome SE pathway isn’t going to be available. It’s obviously a primary concern.”</p>
<p><strong>Q: Could SE be an option? And if not SE, what else could be?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A: </strong>There are varying opinions on whether or not the grandfather date—which states only products on the market by 2007 can qualify for the SE pathway—can be moved.</p>
<p>Though not a lawyer himself, Perraut suspects this might be “a legal heavy lift” due to the clear language in the original statute. “It’s not yet clear that the FDA would want to move the SE date if they could,” he says. “But because of the statutory construction, it’s a difficult spot for vaping products.”</p>
<p>Fortunately, moving the grandfather date is not the only option. The FDA could delay the effective date of the PMTA requirement, giving companies (and the agency) more time to process applications; the agency could simplify or revise the pre-market application, making it more attainable. Alternatively, the FDA could propose a separate, less-complicated PMTA process based on a product’s place on the nicotine risk continuum.</p>
<p>“There are all sorts of strategies to make the process work better,” Perraut says. “So it’s certainly worth engaging in the process.”</p>
<p><strong>Q: I thought the public commenting period ended in August. Isn’t it too late?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A: </strong>Yes, the period to submit comments to the FDA has passed. But the FDA isn’t the only way to engage in the rulemaking process. Interested parties can also share their perspective during the White House review.</p>
<p>“It’s as important, if not more important, to be engaged during the period of White House review than it is to give comments(to the FDA),” Perraut says.</p>
<p>While the FDA must first and foremost consider public health, the White House review takes a much broader approach. This process, led by the aforementioned OIRA, focuses on making sure the regulations align with the president’s agenda and balances the costs and benefits of the proposed regulations.</p>
<p>“That (OIRA) process is really a time to think about unintended consequences,” says Perraut. “This is a rule where we’re expecting to see a lot of those.”</p>
<p>Because of that approach, the proposed regulations often go through a lot of change during the White House review. Perraut says the FDA’s proposed deeming rule came out of the process “fundamentally different.”</p>
<p>Though multiple government agencies are involved in the White House/OIRA review, it is not widely known that the public at large has the opportunity to participate as well. “The OIRA process is very intentionally a little bit under the radar,” Perraut says. “Parties are generally fairly informed on how to submit their comments [to the FDA]; folks are much less informed about how to engage during the White House review.”</p>
<p>According to Perraut, retailers and manufacturers can request a meeting to present their case to OIRA during the review period—a meeting that typically includes OIRA, the FDA and other executive branch agencies directly involved with the rule’s review.</p>
<p><strong>Q: How long before these regulations are actually fınalized?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A: </strong>The deeming of e-vapor, cigars and other tobacco products has dragged on, thanks in part to a changing of the guard at the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products and a government shutdown. But Perraut expects the end is near, in part because we’re on step seven of the nine-step rulemaking process (<a href="http://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-washington-confidential?page=0%2C2">see chart</a>), and because President Obama’s time in the White House will soon end.</p>
<p>“With the looming election, there will be significant pressure to get the rule done,” Perraut says. “I would be very surprised if [deeming] is not finalized far before the 2016 election. We’re on a much swifter timeline.”</p>
<p>And the gridlock in Congress combined with an outgoing president could also result in a slew of executive actions on tobacco.</p>
<p>“As we get closer to the election, we will enter what’s known as ‘the midnight regulations period,’ ” says Perraut. “The deeming rule is certainly not going to be the end of tobacco regulations during this administration.”</p>
<p><strong>CONTINUED: FDA's Agenda &amp; Schedule</strong></p>
<h3>What’s on the FDA’s Agenda</h3>
<p>The FDA’s unifıed agenda—or “wish list” of potential tobacco regulations—is a matter of public record (<a href="http://www.reginfo.org">www.reginfo.org</a>). While limiting or banning open systems, flavors or Internet sales of e-vapor products is not on that list, there are issues that might affect tobacco retailers and manufacturers. These issues include:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Clarifıcation of When Products Made or Derived From Tobacco Are Regulated as Drugs or Devices: </strong>“The rule will describe the circumstances in which a product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption will be subject to regulation as a drug, device or a combination product.”</li>
<li><strong>Investigational Tobacco Product Applications, and Establishment Registration and Product Listing for Tobacco Products:</strong> “This regulation would prescribe the form and content of domestic establishment registration and product listing for manufacturers of tobacco products. The regulation would also establish a requirement for foreign establishment registration and listing for manufacturers of tobacco products, and prescribe the form and manner of such registration and listing.”</li>
<li><strong>Requirements for the Testing and Reporting of Tobacco Product Constituents, Ingredients and Additives:</strong> “The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, requires the Food and Drug Administration to promulgate regulations that require the testing and reporting of tobacco product constituents, ingredients and additives, including smoke constituents, that the agency determines should be tested to protect the public health.”</li>
</ul><hr /><h3>Down the Rulemaking Pipeline</h3>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 650px;"><tbody><tr><td>
<p>2009</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>The “initiating event.” Congress granted the FDA the authority under the Tobacco Control Act to extend federal regulations to other kinds of tobacco products, potentially cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>2011</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>FDA determines the necessity to adopt new regulations. The agency issues an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for deeming other tobacco products.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>2011-2013</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Drafting of the proposed rule.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>2013</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>White House review of proposed rule.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>April 25, 2014</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Publication of proposed rule.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>April-August 2014</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Public commenting period.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>Today</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>FDA reviews and responds to comments. This is where the FDA makes any changes to the fınal rule based on comments (timing TBD). If the FDA adds new regulations not included in the original proposal, the agency will have to begin a new rulemaking process for any additional regulations.</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>TBD</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>White House review of fınal rule (typically 90 days maximum).</p>
</td>
</tr><tr><td>
<p>TBD</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Publication of the fınal rule in the federal register. This will include an effective date for the new regulations.</p>
</td>
</tr></tbody></table><p> </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-author field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Author(s):&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/profile/melissa-vonder-haar" class=" melissa-vonder-haar">Melissa Vonder Haar</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-summary field--type-text-long field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Article Summary:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">An insider’s view on e-vapor, deeming and the rulemaking process.</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-main-image field--type-image field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Main Image:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.cspnet.com/sites/default/files/vaping-ban-image.png" width="300" height="225" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-related-issue field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Related Issue:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/print/csp-magazine/issues/csp-magazine-may-2015" class=" csp-magazine--may-2015">CSP Magazine | May 2015</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-magazine-article-type field--type-list-text field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Magazine Article Type:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Features</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-feature-level field--type-list-text field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Magazine Article Feature Level:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Feature 5</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-op-related-nref field--type-node-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Related Content:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/category-news/tobacco/articles/five-fresh-insights-tobacco-regulation" class=" five-fresh-insights-into-tobacco-regulation">Five Fresh Insights into Tobacco Regulation</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/category-news/tobacco/articles/senate-dems-urge-fda-finalize-deeming" class=" senate-dems-urge-fda-to-finalize-deeming">Senate Dems Urge FDA to Finalize Deeming</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-channel field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Channel:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/channel/category-managers" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" category-managers">Category Managers</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/channel/independents" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" independents">Independents</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-section field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Section:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/section/print" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" print">Print</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/section/csp-magazine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" csp-magazine">CSP Magazine</a></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-magazine-description field--type-text-long field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Deck:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">An insider’s view on e-vapor, deeming and the rulemaking process</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-also-in-the-news field--type-list-boolean field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Also in the News:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even">Include in Also in the News</div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-top-news-archive field--type-list-boolean field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Top News Archive:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"></div></div></div><div class="field field--name-field-article-keywords field--type-taxonomy-term-reference field--label-above"><div class="field__label">Article Keywords:&nbsp;</div><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even"><a href="/article-keywords/cigars" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" cigars">cigars</a></div><div class="field__item odd"><a href="/article-keywords/electronic-cigarettes" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" electronic-cigarettes">electronic cigarettes</a></div><div class="field__item even"><a href="/article-keywords/otp" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="" class=" otp">OTP</a></div></div></div><span property="dc:title" content="CSP Tobacco: Washington Confidential" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Tue, 12 May 2015 19:12:58 +0000Steve Holtz41909 at http://www.cspnet.comhttp://www.cspnet.com/print/csp-magazine/article/csp-tobacco-washington-confidential#commentsThe Power of the Pouchhttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/power-pouch
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden"><div class="field__items"><div class="field__item even" property="rnews:articlebody schema:articleBody"><p><strong>BARRINGTON, Ill. --</strong> Cigar dollar sales four weeks-ending March 29, 2015, posted a gain of 6.4%, increasing the average per store week sales to approximately $475. Retail units sold also advanced 7.6% versus last year based on the Balvor Retailer Composite (BRC).</p>
<p>"The vast majority of the growth in cigars came from pouches as convenience retailers carried significantly more variety in this package segment," said David Bishop, managing partner of Balvor. Pouch assortment expanded on average by more than 20% versus 2014; whereas, the other segments all contracted on a SKU count basis.</p>
<p>Pouches' 20% plus sales growth continues to be driven by intense manufacturer competition in the segment that has drove weighted average retails down 70 basis points to under $1.25 per unit sold. And, while “three-for” pouches are helping drive up retail slightly, this segment mainly sells the two-pack configuration.</p>
<p>Singles saw dollar sales drop more than 6% as the price gap between it and pouches narrowed further during the month versus last year. One reason for the gap shrinking is due a slight shift in the sales mix toward higher-retail single SKUs, another positive sign for improving conditions.</p>
<p>Packs posted nearly a 3% gain in dollar sales even as average retail prices edged up by almost 2% versus last year.</p>
<p>"Growth—no matter how small—in packs is generally a good thing for retailers as it generates over five times more gross profit per unit sold than pouches," Bishop said. "And, beyond that, it indicates that consumers either have more money in the pocket or confidence in their outlook."</p>
<p>Little cigars reported retail units and dollar sales declines of more than 9% and 11%, respectively. Bishop speculated that some of the decrease may be attributed to demand shifting to electronic nicotine devices (ENDs) given similarities between the flavor profiles of the two product segments.</p>
<p>Gross margins contracted to 33.6% during March, decreasing penny profit by around a nickel versus last year. This performance reflects a broader trend that retailers are experiencing across other tobacco categories.</p>
<p>The composite is based on item-level data from 14 convenience-store retailers, representing retailers of different size and from various regions across the United States. Balvor uses custom segmentation and equalizes chain-wide data to an "average per store week" (APSW) basis. This approach removes much of "noise" associated with changes in store count between periods, minimizes sample bias that would skew toward larger-store operators and provides more actionable insights, the company said.</p>
</div></div></div><span property="schema:name" content="The Power of the Pouch" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/category-news/tobacco/articles/power-pouch" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span>Fri, 01 May 2015 14:13:03 +0000Greg Lindenberg41769 at http://www.cspnet.comCategory ManagersCSP Daily NewsCategory NewsTobaccohttp://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/power-pouch#comments